By ANTARA News/DPA,
Hong Kong : Four people, including two firemen, died and dozens more were injured when a blaze in a Hong Kong nightclub spread through a high-rise block of flats Sunday.
The firemen were found dead on the 12th floor of the block in the city`s densely-populated Mongkok district, a fire services spokesman said.
A woman resident aged 77 also died after being taken to hospital and the charred body of an unidentified fourth victim of the blaze was later found in the building.
At least 57 people needed hospital treatment and a 26-year-old resident was Sunday evening in a critical condition in hospital, rescuers said.
More than 200 firefighters were involved in the rescue operation which included evacuating the building when the fire broke out soon after 9 am Sunday.
Dense smoke billowed through narrow corridors, making the rescue hazardous and leading to smoke-related injuries for dozens of residents.
An investigation was under way into the cause of the fire, which was put out at around 3 pm Sunday, but the cause was not believed to be suspicious, the fire services spokesman said.
Speaking to reporters as news of the deaths emerged, Hong Kong`s security official Ambrose Lee said: “We are deeply sorry for the deaths of two very brave firemen.
“We will send our deepest condolences to their families and we will do everything possible to help them get over this very difficult period.”